Protective head covering with neck support for anesthetized patient and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A head and neck covering is cut from a flat sheet of foam material to form a body portion of the head and neck covering. The foam material has a first surface cut to form an eye region, mouth region and neck region. The foam material has a second surface opposite the first surface which is continuous other than an opening for intubation. The foam material is compliant so that the body portion conforms to contours of the head and neck of the anesthetized patient. A closure mechanism is attached to the body portion for securing the head and neck covering around the anesthetized patient. The foam material reduces a potential for trauma to the head and neck of the anesthetized patient. A plurality of channels is formed in the foam material. Warm fluid is circulated through the channels to reduce heat loss for the patient.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to medical devices and, moreparticularly, to a protective head covering with neck support for ananesthetized patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People routinely undergo surgery for treatment of a variety of medicalconditions. In many cases, the patients are placed under generalanesthesia for the surgical procedure. While under general anesthesia,the patient is unconscious and cannot respond or react to externalstimuli or conditions. In some surgical procedures, there is a potentialfor these external conditions to cause trauma to the patient. Forexample, during certain orthopaedic surgical procedures, the surgeonmust exert considerable pressure on various parts of the body, e.g., tothe arms, legs, shoulder, and torso. In addition, the surgeon uses avariety of instruments during the procedure. The pressure on the bodyand use of surgical instruments create the potential for unintentionaltrauma to the patient, particularly to the head, face, ears, eyes, andneck area. The patient may receive pressure marks or sores from directcontact with surgical instruments and body positioning techniques. Anypressure applied to the ocular structures, even a short time, can causedamage or blindness to the eye. The body is typically covered at most bya blanket or cloth, which provides minimal protection.

Another challenge is the task of rolling the patient over from a supineposition to a prone position on the operating table or from a cart ontothe operating table. Depending on the procedure, the patient may beintubated, which creates a risk of neck injury during the roll-overprocess. After the procedure, the patient must again be rolled off theoperating table onto a gurney. Still anesthetized, the risk of neckinjury is again present if the head is not properly supported andmanipulated during patient movement.

If an emergency develops while the patient is in the prone position,requiring the patient to be rolled to the supine position, valuable timecan be lost trying to properly support the patient without injury to theneck, and without crimping the airway supply tubing and monitoringequipment communicating through the nose and mouth of the patient.

One approach found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,737 involves a molded helmet,which partially covers the patient's face and head. The helmet isparticularly designed for procedures with the patient in the proneposition and, in fact, the helmet can be rigidly mounted to theoperating table, as shown in FIG. 8 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,737. However,in the prone position, the forehead and chin areas are exposed tocontinuous pressure by the weight of the patient's own head. If notrelieved by regular movement of the face to allow blood flow, thepressure can cause localized ischemia to the chin and forehead area. Inaddition, the helmet leaves the eyes, cheeks, nose, and back of the headexposed and vulnerable to objects smaller than the openings in thehelmet. The helmet is molded to a rigid form factor so the head islikely to shift in position relative to the helmet.

In the anesthetized state, the patient is unable to respond or react toany of these conditions. The surgeon, anesthesiologist, and surgicalstaff must be constantly aware of patient safety to avoid unnecessarytrauma.

The operating room is typically maintained at a low temperature, in partfor the comfort and alertness of the surgical team. The patient mayexperience body heat loss in the low temperature environment. The torsoand upper and lower extremities are typically covered by a blanket forwarmth. However, a significant amount of heat can be lost passivelythrough the head and neck. A surgical cap can reduce some heat loss, buttypically does not cover the face and certainly does not remove thepotential for injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A need exists to protect the head and neck of the patient from externalconditions to avoid unnecessary trauma. Accordingly, in one embodiment,the present invention is a head and neck covering for an anesthetizedpatient comprising a flat sheet of foam material cut to form a bodyportion of the head and neck covering. The foam material has a firstsurface cut to form an eye region, mouth region, and neck region. Thefoam material has a second surface opposite the first surface, which iscontinuous other than an opening for intubation. The foam material iscompliant so that the body portion conforms to contours of the head andneck of the anesthetized patient. A closure mechanism is attached to thebody portion for securing the head and neck covering around theanesthetized patient.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a head covering for ananesthetized patient comprising a flat sheet of foam material cut toform a body portion of the head covering. The foam material has a firstsurface cut to form an eye region and mouth region. The foam materialhas a second surface opposite the first surface which is continuous. Aclosure mechanism is attached to the body portion for securing the headcovering around the anesthetized patient.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a head covering for ananesthetized patient comprising a foam material having a first surfacecut to form an eye region and mouth region. The foam material has asecond surface opposite the first surface which is continuous. Anelastic material is integrated with the foam material for securing thehead covering around the anesthetized patient.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of making ahead and neck covering for an anesthetized patient comprising the stepsof providing a flat sheet of foam material, and cutting the foammaterial to form a body portion of the head and neck covering. The foammaterial has a first surface cut to form an eye region, mouth region andneck region. The foam material has a second surface opposite the firstsurface which is continuous other than an opening for intubation. Themethod further includes the step of attaching a closure mechanism to thebody portion for securing the head and neck covering around theanesthetized patient.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of making ahead covering for an anesthetized patient comprising the steps ofproviding a flat sheet of foam material, and cutting the foam materialto form a body portion of the head covering. The foam material has afirst surface cut to form an eye region and mouth region. The foammaterial has a second surface opposite the first surface which iscontinuous. The method further includes the step of attaching a closuremechanism to the body portion for securing the head covering around theanesthetized patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a patient in supine position for surgery;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flat sheet of foam material which is cut to a bodyof a head covering with neck support;

FIG. 3 shows the foam material with an outer impact resistant layer andinner conforming layer;

FIGS. 4a-4b illustrate opposite surfaces of the head covering with necksupport and locking straps;

FIGS. 5a-5b illustrate the head covering affixed to the patient;

FIGS. 6a-6b illustrate opposite surfaces of another embodiment of thehead covering with neck support and locking straps;

FIGS. 7a-7b illustrate the head covering of FIGS. 5a-5b affixed to thepatient;

FIGS. 8a-8b illustrate opposite surfaces of another embodiment of thehead covering with neck support and locking Velcro strips;

FIG. 9 illustrates the head covering of FIGS. 7a-7b affixed to thepatient;

FIGS. 10a-10b illustrate another embodiment of the head covering;

FIG. 11 illustrates the foam material with air bladder;

FIG. 12 illustrates the foam material with intermediate expandablematerial;

FIG. 13 illustrates the foam material with channels for circulatingheated fluid to reduce body heat loss; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a thermal flow controller for circulating heatedfluid to the channels in the foam material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in one or more embodiments in thefollowing description with reference to the figures, in which likenumerals represent the same or similar elements. While the invention isdescribed in terms of the best mode for achieving the invention'sobjectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that itis intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims and their equivalents as supported by the followingdisclosure and drawings.

In FIG. 1, patient 10 is shown in a supine position on operating table12. Anesthesiologist 14 places patient 10 under general anesthesia inpreparation for surgery. In the anesthetized state, patient 10 isunconscious and cannot respond or react to external stimuli orconditions. Surgeon 16 performs the surgical procedure on patient 10. Insome surgical procedures, such as orthopaedic procedures, surgeon 16must exert considerable pressure on various parts of the body, e.g., tothe arms, legs, shoulder, and torso. In addition, surgeon 16 uses avariety of instruments during the procedure. The pressure on the bodyand use of surgical instruments create the potential for unintentionaltrauma to the patient, particularly to the head, face, ears, eyes, andneck area.

FIG. 2 shows a protective head covering 20 formed from a flat sheet ofmedical grade open-cell or closed-cell foam material 22 havingsufficient density and thickness to absorb or cushion external forces,e.g., medical instruments and human induced pressure points. Headcovering 20 isolates the head and neck of patient 10 from iatrogenictrauma. In particular, head covering 20 protects the eyes, ears, nose,mouth, cheeks, chin, forehead, back, top and sides of the head, andother facial epidermis of patient 10. In one embodiment, foam material22 has a thickness ranging from 10-30 millimeters (mm). Foam material 22is compliant and readily conforms to the contour of the head and neck ofpatient 10. Foam material 22 is waterproof and disposable.

Foam material 22 has an inside surface 24 for epidermis contact, andoutside surface 26 opposite surface 24. The surfaces 24-26 of foammaterial 22 can be treated with a secondary material, such as cloth,neoprene, or silicone, to prevent allergic reactions and improvehandling and application of head covering 20. FIG. 3 shows foam material22 as having multiple layers laminated or joined to create the desiredprotective and compliant properties. Each layer of foam material 22 canhave a different density. The innermost layer 23 adjacent to the face ofpatient 10 may be soft and conforming, while the outermost layer 25 hassufficient density to protect against impact or pressure.

The sheet of foam material 22 is cut along lines 28 with a laser, watercutting jet, hot-knife, stamping, die cutting, or other tool to producebody portion 29 having shape and dimensions necessary to conform to thehead and neck of patient 10. In particular, portions of foam material 22are retained or removed from body portion 29 by the cutting process toform facial region 30, recessed eye and nose region 32, recessed mouthregion 36, recessed ear region 38, neck region 40, and back of headregion 42, as shown in FIG. 4a . Neck region 40 has padding 44 foradditional neck support. FIG. 4b shows outside surface 26 of headcovering 20. After the cutting process, a plurality of closuremechanisms 48, e.g., straps, Velcro, laces, and fasteners, can beattached around a perimeter of foam material 22 in appropriate locationsto secure head covering 20 to the head and neck of patient 10.

In one application, as shown in FIG. 5a , surface 24 of region 42 isbrought into contact with the back of the head of patient 10 so thatregion 40 is disposed over the neck of the patient. Head covering 20 iswrapped around the front of the head and neck of patient 10 and closuremechanism 48 is secured so that the patient's eyes and nose are centeredunder recessed region 32, the patient's mouth is centered under recessedregion 36, and the patient's ears are centered under recessed region 38,as shown in FIG. 5b . The compliant property of head covering 20 causessurface 24 to conform to the contours of the head, face, and neck ofpatent 10. Once secured in place with closure mechanism 48, headcovering 20 is unlikely to shift due to the continuous and substantialcontact between surface 24 and the head and face of patient 10.

The flat sheet of foam material 20 has advantages over the moldedhelmet, as found in the prior art. The flat nature of sheet 22 is lesscostly to manufacture and more convenient to package for shipment andstorage. Head covering 20 is compliant and readily conforms around mosthead dimensions, i.e., one size fits all. Once applied, head covering 20is less likely to shift in position.

FIG. 6a shows another embodiment of the protective head covering. Headcovering 60 is formed from a flat sheet of medical grade open-cell orclosed-cell foam material having sufficient density and thickness toabsorb or cushion external forces, e.g., medical instruments and humaninduced pressure points. Head covering 60 isolates the head and neck ofpatient 10 from iatrogenic trauma. In particular, head covering 60protects the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, cheeks, chin, forehead, back, topand sides of the head, and other facial epidermis of patient 10. In oneembodiment, the foam material has a thickness ranging from 10-30 mm. Thefoam material is compliant and readily conforms to the contour of thehead and neck of patient 10. The foam material is waterproof anddisposable.

The foam material has an inside surface 62 for epidermis contact. FIG.6b shows outside surface 63, opposite surface 62. The surfaces 62 and 63of the foam material can be treated with a secondary material, such ascloth, neoprene, or silicone, to prevent allergic reactions and improvehandling and application of head covering 60. The foam material may havemultiple layers laminated or joined to create the desired protective andcompliant properties. For example, the innermost layer adjacent to theface of patient 10 may be soft and conforming, while the outermost layerhas sufficient density to protect against impact or pressure. Regions 76of surface 63 are clear or opaque to enable observation of the eyes ofpatient 10 which aids in alignment of head covering 60.

Head covering 60 has facial region 64, recessed eye region 66, recessednose region 68, recessed mouth region 70, chin region 71, recessed earregion 72, and neck region 74. Any external pressure or force applied tosurface 63 is distributed over an area to avoid injury to any specificbody part. The recessed regions provide spacing to avoid direct contactor pressure on the eye, noise, mouth, etc. A plurality of closuremechanisms 78, e.g., straps, Velcro, laces, and fasteners, can beattached around a perimeter of the foam material in appropriatelocations to secure head covering 60 to the head and neck of patient 10.

In one application, as shown in FIG. 7a , surface 62 of region 64 isbrought into contact with the face of patient 10 so that region 74 isdisposed over the neck of the patient. Head covering 60 is wrappedaround the back of the head and neck of patient 10 and closure mechanism78 is secured so that the patient's eyes are centered under recessedregion 66, the patient's nose is centered over recessed region 68, thepatient's mouth is centered under recessed region 70, the patient's chinis aligned with region 71, and the patient's ears are centered underrecessed region 72, as shown in FIG. 7b . The compliant property of headcovering 60 causes surface 62 to conform to the contours of the head,face, and neck of patient 10. Once secured in place with closuremechanism 78, head covering 60 is unlikely to shift due to thecontinuous contact between surface 62 and the head and face of patient10. The outside surface 63 can be continuous other than an opening forintubation tube 79 to the air passage of patient 10. Therefore, allareas of the patient's head and neck are isolated from externalconditions to reduce the risk of trauma.

FIG. 8a shows another embodiment of the protective head covering. Headcovering 80 is formed from a flat sheet of medical grade open-cell orclosed-cell foam material having sufficient density and thickness toabsorb or cushion external forces, e.g., medical instruments and humaninduced pressure points. Head covering 80 isolates the head and neck ofpatient 10 from iatrogenic trauma. In particular, head covering 80protects the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, cheeks, chin, forehead, back, topand sides of the head, and other facial epidermis of patient 10. In oneembodiment, the foam material has a thickness ranging from 10-30 mm. Thefoam material is compliant and readily conforms to the contour of thehead and neck of patient 10. The foam material is waterproof anddisposable.

The foam material has an inside surface 82 for epidermis contact. FIG.8b shows outside surface 83, opposite surface 82. The surfaces 82 and 83of the foam material can be treated with a secondary material, such ascloth, neoprene, or silicone, to prevent allergic reactions and improvehandling and application of head covering 80. The foam material may havemultiple layers laminated or joined to create the desired protective andcompliant properties. For example, the innermost layer adjacent to theface of patient 10 may be soft and conforming, while the outermost layerhas sufficient density to protect against impact or pressure. Regions 96of surface 83 are clear or opaque to enable observation of the eyes ofpatient 10 which aids in alignment of head covering 80.

Head covering 80 has facial region 84, recessed eye region 86, recessednose region 88, recessed mouth region 90, recessed chin region 91,recessed ear region 92, and recessed neck region 94. Any externalpressure or force applied to surface 83 is distributed over an area toavoid injury to any specific body part. The recessed regions providespacing to avoid direct contact or pressure on the eye, noise, mouth,etc. A metal or plastic zipper 98 and closure mechanism 100 is attachedto secure head covering 80 to the head and neck of patient 10.

In one application, as shown in FIG. 9, surface 84 of region 82 isbrought into contact with the face of patient 10 so that region 94 isdisposed over the neck of the patient. Head covering 80 is wrappedaround the back of the head and neck of patient 10 and zipper 98 andclosure mechanism 100 are closed so that the patient's eyes are centeredunder region 86, the patient's nose is centered over region 88, thepatient's mouth is centered under region 90, the patient's chin isaligned with recessed region 91, and the patient's ears are centeredunder region 92. The compliant property of head covering 80 causessurface 82 to conform to the contours of the head, face, and neck ofpatent 10. Once secured in place with zipper 98 and closure mechanism100, head covering 80 is unlikely to shift due to the continuous contactbetween surface 82 and the head and face of patient 10. The outsidesurface 83 can be continuous other than an opening for intubation tube102 to the air passage of patient 10. Therefore, all areas of thepatient's head and neck are isolated from external conditions to reducethe risk of trauma.

FIG. 10a shows another embodiment of the protective head covering. Inthis case, head covering 104 is formed as a tube or hood having asurface 106 made from medical grade open-cell or closed-cell foammaterial having sufficient density and thickness to absorb or cushionexternal forces, e.g., medical instruments and human induced pressurepoints. The surface 106 is continuous other than an opening forintubation tube 108 to the air passage of patient 10. Region 110 isstretchable or mesh material, such as spandex, elastane, or othersynthetic fiber or fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane.Stretchable material 110 is integrated with surface 106 to allow headcovering 104 to be fitted over the head of patient 10, as shown in FIG.10b . Head covering 104 isolates the head and neck of patient 10 fromiatrogenic trauma. In particular, head covering 104 protects the eyes,ears, nose, mouth, cheeks, chin, forehead, back, top and sides of thehead, and other facial epidermis of patient 10. The foam material iscompliant and readily conforms to the contour of the head and neck ofpatient 10. The foam material is waterproof and disposable.

The foam material has an inside surface for epidermis contact and anoutside surface for protection, similar to FIGS. 8a-8b . FIG. 11 showsanother embodiment with foam material 120 having outer surface 122 andinner surface 124. An air bladder or cavity 126 is disposed betweenouter surface 122 and inner surface 124. By pumping air or fluid intobladder 126, the inner surface 124 is pressed against the head and neckof patient 10 to provide a conformal fit, as shown in FIGS. 7b , 9, and10 b.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 12, foam material 130 has multiplelayers laminated or joined to create the desired protective andcompliant properties. For example, the outermost layer 132 is a densematerial to protect against impact or pressure. The innermost layer 134is soft and conforming to the contour of the head and neck of patient10. An intermediate layer 136 contains a memory cell material whichexpands with introduction of air or fluid. The inner surface 134 ispressed against the head and neck of patient 10 to provide a conformalfit. Any external pressure or force applied to surface 132 isdistributed over an area to avoid injury to any specific body part.

The operating room is typically maintained at a low temperature, e.g.,20-24° C., in part for the comfort and alertness of the surgical team.The patient may experience body heat loss and become hypothermic in thelow temperature environment. To minimize heat loss through the head andface during medical procedures, the head covering is made with foammaterial 140 containing a plurality of channels or tubing 142, as shownin FIG. 13. Warm fluid is circulated through channels 142 to transferheat to patient 10. For example, thermal flow control 144 circulatesheated fluid through tube 146 and channels 142, as shown in FIG. 14. Thewarm fluid minimizes heat loss and provides comfort for patient 10 inthe post anesthesia care unit (PACU), decreases chance of infection,improves blood clotting, and reduces blood loss.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate thatmodifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus configured to form a head covering foran anesthetized patient, the apparatus comprising: compliant foammaterial that is conformable to contours of a head of the anesthetizedpatient, the foam material cut to form a body portion of the headcovering, the foam material including an inner layer for positioningagainst the anesthetized patient's face, the inner layer having a firstdensity, and the foam material including an outer layer having adifferent second density, the inner layer corresponding to a firstsurface of the foam material and the outer layer corresponding to anopposite second; surface of the foam material; an eye recess thatextends through the first surface and through at least a portion of theinner layer of the foam material without extending through the oppositesecond surface of the foam material, the eye recess configured tocorrespond to an eye region of the anesthetized patient; a mouth recessthat extends through the first surface and through at least a portion ofthe inner layer of the foam material without extending through theopposite second surface of the foam material, the mouth recessconfigured to correspond to a mouth region of the anesthetized patient;and a closure mechanism attached to the foam material for securing theapparatus about the head of the anesthetized patient.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, further including an air bladder disposed between the firstand second surfaces of the foam material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the foam material has a thickness of 10-30 millimeters.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, further including a secondary material placed overthe foam material, the secondary material selected from the groupconsisting of cloth, neoprene, and silicone.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the closure mechanism includes a strap, fastener, or zipper.6. The apparatus of claim 1, further including: a plurality of channelsformed in the foam material; and a thermal flow control for circulatingfluid through the channels formed in the foam material.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, further including an intermediate expandable layer betweenthe first and opposite second surfaces of the foam material.
 8. A headcovering for an anesthetized patient, the head covering comprising: foammaterial, cut from a flat sheet of compliant foam material, andconfigured to form a body portion of the head covering, the foammaterial including a conforming inner layer having a first density forpositioning against the anesthetized patient's face and including anouter layer having a different second density and the outer layer beingconfigured to protect the anesthetized patient against impact orpressure, the foam material including a first surface and an oppositesecond surface; a recessed eye region for positioning at a correspondingeye region of the anesthetized patient, the recessed eye regionincluding a recess formed through the first surface and into the innerlayer of the foam material, and the recessed eye region covered by theopposite second surface of the foam material; and a recessed mouthregion for positioning at a corresponding mouth region of theanesthetized patient, the recessed mouth region including a recessformed through the first surface and into the inner layer of the foammaterial, and the recessed mouth region covered by the opposite secondsurface of the foam material.
 9. The head covering of claim 8, whereinthe foam material is compliant so that the body portion is capable ofconforming to contours of a head of the anesthetized patient.
 10. Thehead covering of claim 8, further including an air bladder disposedbetween the first and opposite second surfaces of the foam material. 11.The head covering of claim 8, further including: a plurality of channelsformed in the foam material; and a thermal flow control for circulatingfluid through the channels formed in the foam material.
 12. A headcovering hood for an anesthetized patient, the head covering hood havinga neck opening that is configured to be pulled over the patient's headto place the head covering hood on the patient, the head covering hoodcomprising: a foam material having a first surface, configured forcontacting a face of the anesthetized patient when the head covering isworn by the patient, and an opposite second surface, the foam materialfurther including: a recessed eye region including a pair of eyerecesses positioned to respectively correspond with eyes of theanesthetized patient when the head covering hood is worn by the patient,the pair of eye recesses formed through the first surface of the foammaterial and covered by the opposite second surface of the foammaterial; an opening for intubation positioned to correspond with amouth of the anesthetized patient when the head covering hood is worn bythe patient; and an elastic material coupled continuously along an outerperimeter of the foam material and configured to secure the headcovering hood about top and rear portions of the head of theanesthetized patient.
 13. The head covering of claim 12, wherein thefoam material is compliant so that the head covering is capable ofconforming to contours of a head of the anesthetized patient.
 14. Thehead covering of claim 12, further including an air bladder disposedbetween the first and second surfaces of the foam material.
 15. The headcovering of claim 12, further including: a plurality of channels formedin the foam material; and a thermal flow control for circulating fluidthrough the channels formed in the foam material.
 16. A method of makinga head covering for an anesthetized patient, the method comprising:providing a flat sheet of foam material, the foam material including aconforming inner layer having a first density for positioning againstthe anesthetized patient's face and including an outer layer having adifferent second density and the outer layer being configured to protectthe anesthetized patient against impact or pressure, the foam materialincluding a first surface and an opposite second surface; cutting thefoam material to form a body portion of the head covering; removing aportion of the inner layer of the foam material from a first surface ofthe foam material to form multiple recesses that extend only partiallythrough the foam material without extending through the opposite secondsurface, the multiple recesses including a recessed eye region, and arecessed mouth region; and attaching a closure mechanism to the secondsurface of the foam material for securing the head covering around thehead of the anesthetized patient.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe foam material is compliant so that the body portion is capable ofconforming to contours of a head of the anesthetized patient.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the closure mechanism includes a strap,fastener, or zipper.
 19. The method of claim 16, further including:forming a plurality of channels in the foam material, the plurality ofchannels configured to circulate a fluid.
 20. A method of making a headcovering for an anesthetized patient, comprising: providing a flat sheetof foam material, the foam material having a first surface and anopposite second surface, and the flat sheet of foam material having aside extending around its periphery; cutting into the foam material andthrough the first and opposite second surfaces of the foam material toremove selected portions of the foam material and to thereby form a bodyportion of the head covering, the body portion including, in each of twoopposite sides of the cut foam material, respective halves of each of aneye and nose region and a separate mouth region; cutting the firstsurface of the foam material to form an ear region that does not extendthrough the second surface of the foam material; providing padding in aneck region of the body portion of the head covering, the neck regioncorresponding to a rear neck area of the anesthetized patient when thehead covering is worn by the anesthetized patient; and attaching closuremechanisms to the second surface of the foam material adjacent to theeye and nose region and adjacent to the mouth region, the closuremechanisms configured to be joined in front of the patient's face forsecuring the head covering around the anesthetized patient's head. 21.The method of claim 20, wherein the foam material is compliant so thatthe body portion is capable of conforming to contours of a head of theanesthetized patient.
 22. The method of claim 20, further includingdisposing an air bladder between the first and second surfaces of thefoam material.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the closure mechanismincludes a strap, fastener, or zipper.
 24. The method of claim 20,wherein the body portion further includes a neck region for covering theneck of the anesthetized patient.
 25. The method of claim 20, furtherincluding: forming a plurality of channels in the foam material, theplurality of channels configured to circulate a fluid.